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HomeMy WebLinkAbout405.009 - Fire Sprinklers in Elevator Hoistways FIRE PREVENTION MANUAL FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS 405.009 FIRE SPRINKLERS IN ELEVATOR HOISTWAYS EFFECTIVE: NOVEMBER 2008 Current Revision Date: 5/21/19 Next Revision Date: 5/21/22 Author’s Name/Rank: Byron Beagles Fire Prevention Engineer Review Level: 1 Administrative Support: Sherrie L. Badertscher Management Analyst II PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to clarify overlapping requirements for elevator hoistway fire sprinkler protection found in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 13, the California Building Code (CBC), California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Elevator Safety Orders, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. APPLICATION This policy applies to all new passenger elevators and does not apply to designated freight elevators. The requirements of the CBC and Cal/OSHA requirements are adopted State of California codes; when requirements are in conflict, their application takes precedence over NFPA and ASME standards. For specific requirements regarding Fire Service Access Elevators in highrise buildings, see the CBC. This policy does not apply to R-3 single family and duplex housing. OPERATIONAL POLICY All passenger elevators are now required to meet ASME standards requiring the use of fire resistive materials in the construction of elevator cars. Additionally, elevator hoistway shafts are required by the CBC to be of fire restive construction. These requirements do not necessarily create a non-combustible concealed space where fire sprinklers can normally be omitted by NFPA 13. For buildings where fire alarm systems are required to be installed, CBC, Section 3005.4.1, specifically exempts fire sprinkler installation in elevator hoistways and machinery rooms when six (6) specific requirements are met. For buildings without fire alarm systems, the requirements for the installation of fire sprinklers in elevator hoistways and machine rooms are described in operational guideline below. Section 405.009 Page 1 of 4 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE NFPA 13, Section 8.15.5.3, regarding omissions of sprinklers in hoistways and machine rooms is superseded by CBC, Section 3005.4.1, which requires that the building have an approved evacuation fire alarm system. For fire sprinklered buildings without evacuation fire alarm systems, fire sprinklers are required in the following locations: At the bottom of the hoistway for hydraulically operated elevators. Hydraulic elevator fluid is a Class IIIB combustible liquid. At the top of the hoistway for passenger car elevators that do not comply with ASME, Rule 204.2a, regarding the fire resistive rating of elevator car construction materials (CBC Class B minimum rating). In the machinery rooms for both electric and hydraulic elevators. When fire sprinklers are installed in elevator machine rooms, automatic fire detection installed per NFPA 72 and a shunt trip to cut power to the elevator before fire sprinkler activation is required by the CBC, Cal/OSHA, and ASME. For existing elevators that have fire sprinklers at the top of the hoistway, Cal/OSHA may require the retroactive installation of automatic fire detection and an elevator power shunt trip. The fire sprinkler at the top of the hoistway is not to be removed unless documentation is provided that the existing passenger elevator car complies with the ASME, Rule 204.2a, and the elevator hoistway is of fire resistive construction. There are additional ASME and Cal/OSHA requirements regarding fire sprinklers installed in hoistways and machinery rooms that are not found in NFPA 13. Note that these requirements are enforced by Cal/OSHA and are not reviewed for compliance on a fire sprinkler plan review by the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department). Failure to comply with the following requirements may result in the elevator not passing final Cal-OSHA inspection and approval to operate. Branch lines supplying machinery room sprinklers in the hoistway are to terminate at the sprinkler head (no return piping to outside the shaft or room is allowed). Branch lines in the hoistway supply sprinklers at not more than one (1) floor level (no vertical pipe runs exceeding one (1) floor are allowed). Sprinkler head guards are required on sprinklers in the hoistway and machinery room. Section 405.009 Page 2 of 4 Indicating shut-off valves must be installed on branch lines supplying hoistway or machinery room fire sprinklers. Shut off valves are not to be located within the hoistway. Shut off valves are to be supplied with access panels as needed and provided with signs indicating their location that can be identified from floor level. Such valves are to be locked in the open position but do not require electronic valve supervision. PROCESS This section intentionally left blank. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, Current edition California Building Code, Current edition Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Elevator Safety Orders, Current edition American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, Current edition Section 405.009 Page 3 of 4 Attachment Section 405.009 Page 4 of 4